WELCOME TO THE EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT AND FUN OF THE RITZ ACOUSTIC CLUB. Check out the amazing line-up of acts we have for you in 2012

Forthcoming Acts for the Showcase Nights (on our third thursdays) in 2012 are:-

THE SOUND OF THE SIRENS on FEBRUARY 16th
Wonderful harmonies from young up-and-comers.

PHILIP HENRY & HANNAH MARTIN on MARCH 15th
Americana mixed with English Folk and Eastern mysticism. Stunning musicianship.
THE CHERRY PICKERS on APRIL 19th
The West’s hottest cowgirls with new set and CD
MAMBO JAMBO on MAY 17th
Cuban, roots, bluegrass and folk: a mega good time!
WOODY MANN on JUNE 21st
Direct from NYC, one of the world’s finest purveyors of acoustic blues, jazz and more.
RAG MAMA RAG on OCTOBER 18th
The eagerly hoped for return of Debbie and Ashley Dow…. enough said, I’m dusting off my blues hat!

DOORS OPEN AT 8.00pm and there will be an Open Mic set between 8.30pm and 9.45pm before the guest band/act comes on at about 10.00pm. We no longer serve a buffet on these nights More details on the events and artistes here

Following the AGM held on Monday 27th September, the following officers of the club have been duly elected:

Chairman: Rob Brown
Vice Chairman: Ted Heath
Secretary: Bryan Counsell
Treasurer: Caroline Boyce
PR and Acts: Dominic Wills
Fundraising: Trish Liles
Membership: Sue Stent
Webmaster: Graham Cook

Officers without portfolio:
Greg Aylmer
Barry Sear
Bob Peel
Don Counsell
Harry Boyce
Doug Liles

The Committee bestowed the rare gift of Honorary membership to the outgoing Chairman Greg Aylmer, for his dedication, hard work, long service and continued high level of support for the club over many years.

It looks like the Isle of Wedmore area in Somerset has a new Folk Club. Basing itself in The Panborough Inn 3miles along the road from Wedmore to Wells. They run club nights every other friday, which started on 15th October 2010 in their skittle alley. All are very welcome, so try and get along to support this emerging club.
For further information contact Bernard Coulter (bcoulter@talktalk.net)

This year’s AGM took place on Monday 26th October 2009 at 7.30pm. Greg Aylmer was returned for the third year as Chairman, and Ted Heath took the place of Vice-Chairman.

It is with sadness that I have to inform you that Doreen passed away peacefully on Friday 3rd July 2009 at 7.45pm, following a long struggle against cancer. As well as being a major part of the Ritz Social Club and Club Steward for many years, Doreen was a big supporter of both the Ritz Acoustic Club and member of the organising committee for the Folkfest.

We all have a great many fond and humurous memories of Doreen, who showed us all her true fun-loving side and her desire to get “stuck-in” on any task or job she was ever given.
We miss you dearly, sleep well.

The Ritz Acoustic Club is ten years old this month.

After an acoustic concert,open mic night in Highbridge on the First of May 1999, organised by CADS (Burnham and Highbridge Cultural Arts Society), at which local players such as Dave Neville, Pete Beech and Jim Topping gave their best, it was thought it would be a good idea to have an open mike night every week, where anyone could come along and play. So the ‘Home Brue Folk Club’ (as it was originally named) had their first night the following Friday night on 7th May 1999 and started in the skittle alley of the Crown pub in Burnham, at which 12 people attended. The events were organised by Dave Neville with help from other locals such as Pete Beech, Nigel Snook, Dave Chave and Jim Topping. As its popularity grew it soon became necessary to find a larger venue.

A few short months later the club moved to the Jubilee room in the Ritz Social Club and became a weekly event. At this time it might be worth mentioning that the club had £4.50 in the kitty, and most, if not all the equipment was either owned by Dave Neville, or begged and borrowed. The club later changed its name to ‘The Ritz Acoustic Club’ after moving to its current venue at the Ritz Social Club.

A celebratory evening was held on Thursday 21st May, with many old friends attending and performing.

The Club will be open every Thursday night as usual with the normal three sets of Open Mic. Please get there early (before 8.30pm) to book your slot. THIRD THURSDAYS are Buffet/Showcase Nights as detailed below. If you want to play on a third thursday in the two available sets, then e-mail us or phone us to book a slot.

If you’ve never played on a stage before or used a PA System, come along early at about 7.45pm and ask to have a quick practice on stage before the audience comes in. We guarantee a warm reception for new players and those who are just starting out, this could be the start of a bright career or just something you’ve always wanted to do!

The AGM took place at 7.00pm 2nd October 2008 at the Ritz Social Club, Victoria St. Burnham-on-Sea. There were no changes in the current committee, with all existing committee members being re-elected

The Committee is as follows:
Chairman: Greg Aylmer
Vice Chairman : Bryan Counsell
Secretary: Debbie Beckett
Treasurer: Doug Liles
PR and Acts: Dominic Wills
Fundraising: Trish Liles
Membership: Caroline Boyce
Webmaster: Graham Cook
Equipment Mgr: Graham Cook
Members without Portfolio:
Don Counsell
Harry Boyce
Pete Beach